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Vincenzi M, Mercurio FA, Palumbo R, La Manna S, Pirone L, Marasco D, Pedone EM, Leone M. Inhibition of the EphA2-Sam/Ship2-Sam Association through Peptide Ligands: Studying the Combined Effect of Charge and Aromatic Character. J Med Chem 2024. [PMID: 39259672 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c01459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/13/2024]
Abstract
The Sam (sterile alpha motif) domain from the lipid phosphatase Ship2 binds the Sam domain from the EphA2 receptor to negatively regulate receptor endocytosis and degradation. This interaction is primarily linked to pro-oncogenic effects. We report on the design and evaluation of EphA2-Sam/Ship2-Sam peptide inhibitors provided with positive charges and different aromatic characters. Starting from the sequence of previously identified Ship2-Sam targeting peptides, an in silico approach was set up to predict higher affinity peptide ligands. A few peptides were experimentally tested through an interdisciplinary approach. Interaction studies were performed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and biolayer interferometry. 3D models of Ship2-Sam/peptide complexes were predicted by AlphaFold2. Cell-based assays were carried out to investigate whether such peptide sequences might have an influence on EphA2 signaling. The approach led to the identification of novel Ship2-Sam ligands and shed further light on original approaches to design inhibitors of the Ship2-Sam/EphA2-Sam interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marian Vincenzi
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Flavia A Mercurio
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Rosanna Palumbo
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Sara La Manna
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Luciano Pirone
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Daniela Marasco
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Emilia M Pedone
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Marilisa Leone
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
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Vincenzi M, Mercurio FA, Autiero I, Leone M. Cancer-Related Mutations in the Sam Domains of EphA2 Receptor and Ship2 Lipid Phosphatase: A Computational Study. Molecules 2024; 29:1024. [PMID: 38474536 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29051024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The lipid phosphatase Ship2 interacts with the EphA2 receptor by forming a heterotypic Sam (sterile alpha motif)-Sam complex. Ship2 works as a negative regulator of receptor endocytosis and consequent degradation, and anti-oncogenic effects in cancer cells should be induced by hindering its association with EphA2. Herein, a computational approach is presented to investigate the relationship between Ship2-Sam/EphA2-Sam interaction and cancer onset and further progression. A search was first conducted through the COSMIC (Catalogue of Somatic Mutations in Cancer) database to identify cancer-related missense mutations positioned inside or close to the EphA2-Sam and Ship2-Sam reciprocal binding interfaces. Next, potential differences in the chemical-physical properties of mutant and wild-type Sam domains were evaluated by bioinformatics tools based on analyses of primary sequences. Three-dimensional (3D) structural models of mutated EphA2-Sam and Ship2-Sam domains were built as well and deeply analysed with diverse computational instruments, including molecular dynamics, to classify potentially stabilizing and destabilizing mutations. In the end, the influence of mutations on the EphA2-Sam/Ship2-Sam interaction was studied through docking techniques. This in silico approach contributes to understanding, at the molecular level, the mutation/cancer relationship by predicting if amino acid substitutions could modulate EphA2 receptor endocytosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marian Vincenzi
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Flavia Anna Mercurio
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Ida Autiero
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Marilisa Leone
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
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Vincenzi M, Mercurio FA, Leone M. Virtual Screening of Peptide Libraries: The Search for Peptide-Based Therapeutics Using Computational Tools. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1798. [PMID: 38339078 PMCID: PMC10855943 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Over the last few decades, we have witnessed growing interest from both academic and industrial laboratories in peptides as possible therapeutics. Bioactive peptides have a high potential to treat various diseases with specificity and biological safety. Compared to small molecules, peptides represent better candidates as inhibitors (or general modulators) of key protein-protein interactions. In fact, undruggable proteins containing large and smooth surfaces can be more easily targeted with the conformational plasticity of peptides. The discovery of bioactive peptides, working against disease-relevant protein targets, generally requires the high-throughput screening of large libraries, and in silico approaches are highly exploited for their low-cost incidence and efficiency. The present review reports on the potential challenges linked to the employment of peptides as therapeutics and describes computational approaches, mainly structure-based virtual screening (SBVS), to support the identification of novel peptides for therapeutic implementations. Cutting-edge SBVS strategies are reviewed along with examples of applications focused on diverse classes of bioactive peptides (i.e., anticancer, antimicrobial/antiviral peptides, peptides blocking amyloid fiber formation).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Marilisa Leone
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.V.); (F.A.M.)
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Hunting for Novel Routes in Anticancer Drug Discovery: Peptides against Sam-Sam Interactions. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810397. [PMID: 36142306 PMCID: PMC9499636 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Among the diverse protein binding modules, Sam (Sterile alpha motif) domains attract attention due to their versatility. They are present in different organisms and play many functions in physiological and pathological processes by binding multiple partners. The EphA2 receptor contains a Sam domain at the C-terminus (EphA2-Sam) that is able to engage protein regulators of receptor stability (including the lipid phosphatase Ship2 and the adaptor Odin). Ship2 and Odin are recruited by EphA2-Sam through heterotypic Sam-Sam interactions. Ship2 decreases EphA2 endocytosis and consequent degradation, producing chiefly pro-oncogenic outcomes in a cellular milieu. Odin, through its Sam domains, contributes to receptor stability by possibly interfering with ubiquitination. As EphA2 is upregulated in many types of tumors, peptide inhibitors of Sam-Sam interactions by hindering receptor stability could function as anticancer therapeutics. This review describes EphA2-Sam and its interactome from a structural and functional perspective. The diverse design strategies that have thus far been employed to obtain peptides targeting EphA2-mediated Sam-Sam interactions are summarized as well. The generated peptides represent good initial lead compounds, but surely many efforts need to be devoted in the close future to improve interaction affinities towards Sam domains and consequently validate their anticancer properties.
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Vincenzi M, Anna Mercurio F, Di Natale C, Palumbo R, Pirone L, La Manna S, Marasco D, Maria Pedone E, Leone M. Targeting Ship2-Sam with peptide ligands: Novel insights from a multidisciplinary approach. Bioorg Chem 2022; 122:105680. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2022.105680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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Vincenzi M, Mercurio FA, Leone M. NMR Spectroscopy in the Conformational Analysis of Peptides: An Overview. Curr Med Chem 2021; 28:2729-2782. [PMID: 32614739 DOI: 10.2174/0929867327666200702131032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND NMR spectroscopy is one of the most powerful tools to study the structure and interaction properties of peptides and proteins from a dynamic perspective. Knowing the bioactive conformations of peptides is crucial in the drug discovery field to design more efficient analogue ligands and inhibitors of protein-protein interactions targeting therapeutically relevant systems. OBJECTIVE This review provides a toolkit to investigate peptide conformational properties by NMR. METHODS Articles cited herein, related to NMR studies of peptides and proteins were mainly searched through PubMed and the web. More recent and old books on NMR spectroscopy written by eminent scientists in the field were consulted as well. RESULTS The review is mainly focused on NMR tools to gain the 3D structure of small unlabeled peptides. It is more application-oriented as it is beyond its goal to deliver a profound theoretical background. However, the basic principles of 2D homonuclear and heteronuclear experiments are briefly described. Protocols to obtain isotopically labeled peptides and principal triple resonance experiments needed to study them, are discussed as well. CONCLUSION NMR is a leading technique in the study of conformational preferences of small flexible peptides whose structure can be often only described by an ensemble of conformations. Although NMR studies of peptides can be easily and fast performed by canonical protocols established a few decades ago, more recently we have assisted to tremendous improvements of NMR spectroscopy to investigate instead large systems and overcome its molecular weight limit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marian Vincenzi
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, National Research Council of Italy, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples, Italy
| | - Flavia Anna Mercurio
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, National Research Council of Italy, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples, Italy
| | - Marilisa Leone
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, National Research Council of Italy, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples, Italy
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Gerak CAN, Zhang SM, Balgi AD, Sadowski IJ, Sessions RB, McIntosh LP, Roberge M. A Multipronged Screening Approach Targeting Inhibition of ETV6 PNT Domain Polymerization. SLAS DISCOVERY : ADVANCING LIFE SCIENCES R & D 2021; 26:698-711. [PMID: 33345679 DOI: 10.1177/2472555220979599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
ETV6 is an ETS family transcriptional repressor for which head-to-tail polymerization of its PNT domain facilitates cooperative binding to DNA by its ETS domain. Chromosomal translocations frequently fuse the ETV6 PNT domain to one of several protein tyrosine kinases. The resulting chimeric oncoproteins undergo ligand-independent self-association, autophosphorylation, and aberrant stimulation of downstream signaling pathways, leading to a variety of cancers. Currently, no small-molecule inhibitors of ETV6 PNT domain polymerization are known and no assays targeting PNT domain polymerization have been described. In this study, we developed complementary experimental and computational approaches for identifying such inhibitory compounds. One mammalian cellular approach utilized a mutant PNT domain heterodimer system covalently attached to split Gaussia luciferase fragments. In this protein-fragment complementation assay, inhibition of PNT domain heterodimerization reduces luminescence. A yeast assay took advantage of activation of the reporter HIS3 gene upon heterodimerization of mutant PNT domains fused to DNA-binding and transactivation domains. In this two-hybrid screen, inhibition of PNT domain heterodimerization prevents cell growth in medium lacking histidine. The Bristol University Docking Engine (BUDE) was used to identify virtual ligands from the ZINC8 library predicted to bind the PNT domain polymerization interfaces. More than 75 hits from these three assays were tested by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy for binding to the purified ETV6 PNT domain. Although none were found to bind, the lessons learned from this study may facilitate future approaches for developing therapeutics that act against ETV6 oncoproteins by disrupting PNT domain polymerization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe A N Gerak
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Si Miao Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Aruna D Balgi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Ivan J Sadowski
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Lawrence P McIntosh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Michel Roberge
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Florio D, Di Natale C, Scognamiglio PL, Leone M, La Manna S, Di Somma S, Netti PA, Malfitano AM, Marasco D. Self-assembly of bio-inspired heterochiral peptides. Bioorg Chem 2021; 114:105047. [PMID: 34098256 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2021.105047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Peptide hydrogels, deriving from natural protein fragments, present unique advantages as compatibility and low cost of production that allow their wide application in different fields as wound healing, cell delivery and tissue regeneration. To engineer new biomaterials, the change of the chirality of single amino acids demonstrated a powerful approach to modulate the self-assembly mechanism. Recently we unveiled that a small stretch spanning residues 268-273 in the C-terminal domain (CTD) of Nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1) is an amyloid sequence. Herein, we performed a systematic D-scan of this sequence and analyzed the structural properties of obtained peptides. The conformational and kinetic features of self-aggregates and the morphologies of derived microstructures were investigated by means of different biophysical techniques, as well as the compatibility of hydrogels was evaluated in HeLa cells. All the investigated hexapeptides formed hydrogels even if they exhibited different conformational intermediates during aggregation, and they structural featured are finely tuned by introduced chiralities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Florio
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Italy
| | - Concetta Di Natale
- Center for Advanced Biomaterial for Health Care (CABHC), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Naples, Italy; Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Biomaterials (CRIB), Department of Ingegneria Chimica del Materiali e della Produzione Industriale (DICMAPI), University "Federico II", Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy
| | - Pasqualina Liana Scognamiglio
- Center for Advanced Biomaterial for Health Care (CABHC), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Naples, Italy; Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Biomaterials (CRIB), Department of Ingegneria Chimica del Materiali e della Produzione Industriale (DICMAPI), University "Federico II", Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy
| | - Marilisa Leone
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging - CNR, 80134 Naples, Italy
| | - Sara La Manna
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Italy
| | - Sarah Di Somma
- Department of Translational Medical Science, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Paolo Antonio Netti
- Center for Advanced Biomaterial for Health Care (CABHC), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Naples, Italy; Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Biomaterials (CRIB), Department of Ingegneria Chimica del Materiali e della Produzione Industriale (DICMAPI), University "Federico II", Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Malfitano
- Department of Translational Medical Science, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Daniela Marasco
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Italy.
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Di Natale C, De Rosa D, Profeta M, Jamaledin R, Attanasio A, Lagreca E, Scognamiglio PL, Netti PA, Vecchione R. Design of biodegradable bi-compartmental microneedles for the stabilization and the controlled release of the labile molecule collagenase for skin healthcare. J Mater Chem B 2021; 9:392-403. [DOI: 10.1039/d0tb02279a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Polymeric microneedles (MNs) have emerged as a novel class of drug delivery system thanks to their ability in penetrating the skin with no pain, encapsulate active proteins and in particular, proposed bicompartimental MNs can tune protein release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Concetta Di Natale
- Center for Advanced Biomaterials for HealthCare@CRIB
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia
- Napoli 80125
- Italy
- Interdisciplinary Research Center of Biomaterials
| | - Domenico De Rosa
- Center for Advanced Biomaterials for HealthCare@CRIB
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia
- Napoli 80125
- Italy
| | - Martina Profeta
- Center for Advanced Biomaterials for HealthCare@CRIB
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia
- Napoli 80125
- Italy
| | - Rezvan Jamaledin
- Center for Advanced Biomaterials for HealthCare@CRIB
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia
- Napoli 80125
- Italy
| | - Alessandro Attanasio
- Center for Advanced Biomaterials for HealthCare@CRIB
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia
- Napoli 80125
- Italy
| | - Elena Lagreca
- Center for Advanced Biomaterials for HealthCare@CRIB
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia
- Napoli 80125
- Italy
| | | | - Paolo Antonio Netti
- Center for Advanced Biomaterials for HealthCare@CRIB
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia
- Napoli 80125
- Italy
- Interdisciplinary Research Center of Biomaterials
| | - Raffaele Vecchione
- Center for Advanced Biomaterials for HealthCare@CRIB
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia
- Napoli 80125
- Italy
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